Mattress covering with elastic corners

ABSTRACT

A mattress covering includes a generally rectangular top cover portion having an outer periphery and dimensioned to at least substantially cover the top surface of mattresses of at least one predetermined top surface size. A side skirt extends transversely to the top cover portion around the outer periphery thereof. The side skirt has a lower periphery remote from the top cover portion, and a lower elastic cord is secured at the lower periphery. Each of a first and a second elastic cords has a first end secured near a corner of the top cover portion and a second end secured to lower cord portion of the lower elastic cord located in a position remote from the top cover portion in a direction generally transverse to the top cover portion, so that the vertical elastic cord extends from the first corner in a direction generally transverse to the top cover portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 USC § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Applications No. 62/394,514 filed Sep. 14, 2016 and No. 62/416,386 filed Nov. 2, 2016. The contents of all of the applications identified in this paragraph are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to mattress coverings, such as mattress pads, sheets, and protective covers, and, more particularly, to fitted mattress coverings capable of practical and effective use with mattresses of a range of lengths, widths, thicknesses, or combinations thereof.

Fitted mattress pads and sheets are commonly available in various forms. The simplest form is one having the top cover portion and a side skirt formed of the same material and having an elastic band located around the lowermost periphery of the side skirt to draw the lowermost portion of the side skirt against the side of or under the mattress and to attempt to retain the mattress covering in a fitted condition on the mattress. Such mattress coverings have the advantages of ease of manufacture and a consistent appearance with the side skirts being of the same material as the top cover portion. They have the disadvantage, however, of having only a single elastic band to retain an otherwise essentially inelastic covering on mattresses which are being sold more frequently in varying heights, including relatively significant heights of one foot or more. These mattress coverings have a further disadvantage of being expensive to manufacture if the top cover material, which is typically a higher quality textile material such as a quilted material or a higher thread count cotton or cotton blend material, extends down along the side skirt of the covering sufficiently to cover the sides of mattresses of the greatest heights (thicknesses) currently being sold, so that the coverings can be used with mattresses of a given predetermined top size (e.g. standard, queen, king, etc.) regardless of the mattress height (thickness).

The variation and overall increase in thicknesses of mattresses has led to the introduction of another form of fitted mattress covering, a mattress pad that has a quilted top and a side skirt made of another material. The side skirt is a foot or more in height to cover the sides of a wide range of the mattresses of differing thicknesses being sold. The side skirt often is elasticized over its entire height. In addition, a heavier elastic band or cord may also be attached to the lowermost periphery of an elastic side skirt. These mattress coverings have been made with elastic skirts formed by joining a conventional, essentially inelastic textile material layer with a layer of a special, non-woven, elastic sheet material. Mattress coverings have also been made with elastic side skirts formed from a single layer of essentially inelastic material, which is elasticized by being stitched with multiple (e.g. six or more) uniformly spaced parallel rows of elastic threads sewn into the otherwise essentially inelastic, single skirt material layer, or by using side skirt material which is itself knitted or woven from elastic thread.

In addition to being sold in varying heights (thicknesses), mattresses are also sold in varying lengths and widths. For example, a standard twin mattress is 39 inches wide and 75 inches long, while a long twin mattress is 39 inches wide and 80 inches long. A double or full mattress is 54 inches wide and 75 inches long, while a queen mattress is 60 inches wide and 80 inches long.

It is desirable for a single size of mattress covering to be able to accommodate mattresses of the same top-surface dimensions but varying thicknesses, or mattresses of varying lengths, widths, thicknesses, or any combination thereof, assuming the variation is within a reasonable range, thus relieving the sellers of mattress coverings from stocking and differentiating between different mattress covers for mattresses that have top-surface dimensions that are identical but have varying thicknesses or mattresses that vary within a reasonable range in any one or more of length, width, and thickness. Similarly, where beds of various sizes are in use at a particular location, by employing a single size of mattress covering accommodating mattresses of various thicknesses or of comparable but varying lengths, widths, or combinations of varying lengths, widths, and thicknesses, the user is relieved from stocking and differentiating between different mattress covers for mattresses with top-surface dimensions that are identical or fairly similar or that vary within a reasonable range in any one or more of length, width, and thickness.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly stated, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a mattress covering is adapted for fitted disposition over the top, sides, ends, and corners of mattresses comprises a generally rectangular top cover portion having an outer periphery and dimensioned to at least substantially cover the top surface of mattresses of at least one predetermined top surface size. A side skirt extends transversely to the top cover portion from the outer periphery of the top cover portion around the outer periphery of the top cover portion. The side skirt has a lower periphery remote from the top cover portion and is preferably sized to fit mattresses of a predetermined maximum thickness. A lower elastic cord is secured at the lower periphery of the side skirt. A first vertical elastic cord has first and second ends. The first end is secured near a first corner of the top cover portion, and the second end is secured to a first lower cord portion of the lower elastic cord located in a position remote from the top cover portion in a direction generally transverse to the top cover portion, so that the first vertical elastic cord extends from the first corner in a direction generally transverse to the top cover portion. A second vertical elastic cord has first and second ends. The first end is secured near a second corner of the top cover portion, and the second end is secured to a second lower cord portion of the lower elastic cord located in a position remoted from the top cover portion in a direction generally transverse to the top cover portion, so that the second vertical elastic cord extends from the second corner in a direction generally transverse to the top cover portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of a mattress covering mounted on a mattress, with the top cover portion of the mattress covering having approximately the same dimensions as the top surface of the mattress;

FIG. 2 is an inverted perspective view of the mattress covering of FIG. 1 mounted on the mattress shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an inverted perspective view of the mattress covering of FIG. 1 mounted on a mattress sized so that the top cover portion of the mattress covering has a greater length than the top surface of the mattress;

FIG. 4 is an inverted perspective view of the mattress covering of FIG. 1 mounted on a mattress sized so that the top cover portion of the mattress covering has approximately the same dimensions as the top surface of the mattress as in FIGS. 1 and 2, but the mattress is of lesser thickness;

FIG. 5A is an inverted perspective view of a mattress covering mounted on a mattress sized so that the top cover portion of the mattress covering has approximately the same dimensions as the top surface of the mattress; and

FIG. 5B is an inverted perspective view of the mattress covering of FIG. 5A mounted on a mattress sized so that the top cover portion of the mattress covering has a slightly larger length, width, and thickness than the mattress depicted in FIG. 5A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words “right,” “left,” “lower” and “upper” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “inner” and “outer” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the device and designated parts thereof. Unless specifically set forth herein, the terms “a”, “an” and “the” are not limited to one element but instead should be read as meaning “at least one”. The terminology includes the words noted above, derivatives thereof and words of similar import.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is directed to a mattress covering 10, which is shown mounted on a mattress 12, which has a top surface 12 a, a bottom surface 12 b, an end surface 12 c, and a side surface 12 d. The mattress covering 10 includes a generally rectangular top cover portion 14; a side skirt 16 extending transversely to the top cover portion 14 from all sides of the outer periphery of the top cover portion 14, extending downwardly toward the bottom surface of the mattress 12 b and, as depicted, partially covering the bottom surface 12 b particularly around the periphery; a lower elastic band 20 secured around a periphery of the side skirt 16 remote from the top cover portion 14; and four vertical elastic bands 30, 32, 34, 36. The first vertical elastic band 30 is secured at its first end 30 a near a first corner 14 a of the top cover portion 14, and at its second end 30 b is secured to a first lower band portion 22 of the lower elastic band 20 located vertically downwardly from the first corner 14 a, so that the first vertical elastic band 30 extends from the first corner 14 a in a direction generally transverse to the top cover portion 14 and connects to the first lower band portion 22. The first lower band portion 22 is a portion of lower elastic band 20 lying generally below the first corner 14 a. The remaining three vertical elastic bands 32, 34, 36 are similarly secured at their respective first ends 32 a, 34 a, 36 a near their respective corners 14 b, 14 c, 14 d of the top cover portion 14, and their respective second ends 32 b, 34 b, 36 b are similarly secured to their respective lower band portions 24, 26, 28 of the lower elastic band 20, each lower band portion 24, 26, 28 being located vertically downwardly from its respective corner 14 b, 14 c, 14 d, so that each vertical elastic band 32, 34, 36 extends from a corner 14 b, 14 c, 14 d in a direction generally transverse to the top cover portion 14 and connects to the lower band 20.

In the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 1-5B, the vertical elastic bands 30, 32, 34, and 36 are positioned proximate to the interior surface of the side skirt 16. Alternatively, the vertical elastic bands 30, 32, 34, and 36 may be positioned proximate to the exterior surface of the side skirt 16.

In some embodiments, the vertical elastic bands on one end of the mattress covering 10—for example, the vertical elastic bands 32 and 34—may be omitted. When these embodiments are used, the mattress covering 10 should preferably be mounted so that the mattress is located near the corners 14 b and 14 c, the corners remote from the vertical elastic bands 30 and 36.

In a preferred embodiment, the top cover portion 14 is made from an essentially inelastic fabric. In other embodiments, the top cover portion 14 may be made from elastic fabric or from nonwoven material. The side skirt 16 may be made from essentially inelastic or elastic fabric or from nonwoven material; the material of the side skirt 16 may be the same as or different from the material of the top cover portion 14. The lower elastic band 20 and the vertical elastic bands 30, 32, 34, 36 may be made from elastic material of any construction or cross-section shape, including elastic bands having a round or flat cross section. The lower band portions 22, 24, 26, 28 are the locations on the lower elastic band 20 where the second ends 30 b, 32 b, 34 b, 36 b of the vertical elastic bands 30, 32, 34, 36 are joined to the lower elastic band 20. In a preferred embodiment, the lower elastic band 20 extends around substantially the entire periphery of the side skirt 16.

In some embodiments, as best shown in FIG. 3, the mattress covering 10 is sized for use with a mattress 12 having a top surface 12 a (see FIG. 1), a bottom surface 12 b, an end surface 12 c, a side surface 12 d, and a first mattress length, and the vertical elastic bands 32, 34 have lengths such that, when the mattress covering 10 is placed on a mattress having a length less than the first mattress length, thereby creating an excess portion 14 e of the top cover portion 14, the lower elastic band 20 and the vertical elastic bands 32, 34 exert forces tending to wrap the excess portion 14 e of the top cover portion 14 around the end surface 12 c of the mattress and pull the excess portion 14 e of the top cover portion 14 beneath the bottom surface 12 b. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3, the excess portion 14 e of the top cover portion 14 is wrapped toward the bottom surface 12 b but does not extend to the bottom surface 12 b. In other embodiments, depending on the dimensions of the mattress 12 and the dimensions and elasticity of the mattress covering 10, the excess portion 14 e may extend beneath the bottom surface 12 b.

In some embodiments, the mattress covering 10 is sized for use with a mattress having a top surface 12 a (see FIG. 1), a bottom surface 12 b, an end surface 12 c, a side surface 12 d, and a first mattress thickness, and the elastic bands 30, 32, 34, 36 have lengths such that, when the mattress covering 10 is placed on a mattress having a thickness less than the first mattress thickness, the lower elastic band 20 and the vertical elastic bands 30, 32, 34, 36 exert forces tending to pull the excess portion of the side skirt 16 beneath the bottom surface 12 b. This configuration is shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. Because the thickness of the mattress is less in FIG. 4 than in FIG. 2, the lower elastic band 20 and the vertical elastic bands 30, 32, 34, 36 in FIG. 4 pull a greater portion of the side skirt 16 beneath the bottom surface 12 b than in FIG. 2.

Note that the mattress covering 10 may also be used on a mattress 12 having one or more of its length, width, or thickness differing from the nominal or expected length, width, and thickness for which the mattress covering 10 is nominally sized. The nominal size of the mattress covering 10, and thus the size of the top cover portion 14, preferably fits the greater of the lengths and widths of any mattress 12 with which the mattress covering 10 is used, especially if the top cover portion 14 is relatively inelastic. For example, a mattress covering 10 for use with both a standard twin mattress and a long twin mattress preferably has a top cover portion 14 sized for a long twin mattress. A mattress covering 10 for use with both a double mattress and a queen mattress preferably has a top cover portion 14 sized for a queen mattress. When the mattress covering 10 is placed on a mattress 12 differing from the expected dimensions in length or width or both, an excess portion 14 e of the top cover portion 14 is created. If only one of the length and the width of the mattress 12 differs from the dimensions of the top surface 12 a of the mattress 12, then the fit of the mattress covering 10 is as illustrated in FIG. 3. Although FIG. 3 is described in terms of a mattress 12 with a length shorter than that of the top cover portion 14, a mattress 12 with a width less than that of the top surface 12 a of the mattress 12 similarly creates an excess portion 14 e of the top cover portion 14, but with the excess portion 14 e being parallel to the length of the mattress 12 rather than parallel to its width as shown. In the case of a mattress 12 of reduced width, the lower elastic band 20 and two of the vertical elastic bands—30, 32 or 34, 36—exert forces tending to wrap the excess portion 14 e of the top cover portion 14 around a side surface 12 d of the mattress 12 and pull the excess portion 14 e of the top cover portion 14 beneath the bottom surface 12 b. In some embodiments, the excess portion 14 e of the top cover portion 14 is wrapped toward the bottom surface 12 b but does not extend to the bottom surface 12 b. In other embodiments, depending on the dimensions of the mattress 12 and the dimensions and elasticity of the mattress covering 10, the excess portion 14 e may extend beneath the bottom surface 12 b.

In some embodiments, the mattress covering 10 is sized for use with a first mattress having a top surface 12 a (see FIG. 5A), a bottom surface 12 b, an end surface 12 c, a side surface 12 d and a first mattress thickness, and the elastic bands 30, 32, 34, 36 have lengths such that, when the mattress covering 10 is placed on a mattress having a thickness less than the first mattress thickness, the lower elastic band 20 and the vertical elastic bands 30, 32, 34, 36 exert forces tending to pull the excess portion of the side skirt 16 beneath the bottom surface 12 b. The mattress covering 10 may then be placed on a second mattress 12 (see FIG. 5B) that differs from the first mattress to some degree in one or more of length, width, and thickness. Depending on differences in length, width, and thickness between the first mattress and the second mattress, the lower elastic band 20 and the vertical elastic bands 30, 32, 34, 36 pull a greater portion of the side skirt 16 beneath the bottom surface 12 b and pull a greater or lesser excess portion 14 e (see FIG. 5B) of the top cover portion 14 around an end surface 12 c or a side surface 12 d of the mattress 12 toward the bottom surface 12 b. Note that because the mattress in FIG. 5B differs in both length and width from the mattress in FIG. 5A, the excess portion 14 e in FIG. 5B preferably extends around a periphery of the mattress covering 10.

Regardless of the thickness or length of the mattress for which the mattress covering 10 is sized, the combined effect of the lower elastic band 20 and the vertical elastic bands 30, 32, 34, 36 improves the fit of the mattress covering 10 on the mattress.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims. 

I/We claim:
 1. A mattress covering adapted for fitted disposition over the top, sides, ends, and corners of mattresses comprising: a generally rectangular top cover portion having an outer periphery and dimensioned to at least substantially cover the top surface of mattresses of at least one predetermined top surface size; a side skirt extending transversely to the top cover portion from the outer periphery of the top cover portion around the outer periphery of the top cover portion, the side skirt having a lower periphery remote from the top cover portion, the side skirt being sized to fit mattresses of a predetermined thickness; a lower elastic cord secured at a periphery of the side skirt remote from the top cover portion; a first vertical elastic cord having first and second ends, the first end being secured near a first corner of the top cover portion and the second end being secured to a first lower cord portion of the lower elastic cord, the first lower cord portion located in a position remote from the top cover portion in a direction generally transverse to the top cover portion, so that the first vertical elastic cord extends from the first corner in a direction generally transverse to the top cover portion; a second vertical elastic cord having first and second ends, the first end being secured near a second corner of the top cover portion and the second end being secured to a second lower cord portion of the lower elastic cord, the second lower cord portion located in a position remote from the top cover portion in a direction generally transverse to the top cover portion, so that the second vertical elastic cord extends from the second corner in a direction generally transverse to the top cover portion.
 2. The mattress covering of claim 1, further comprising a third vertical elastic cord having first and second ends, the first end being secured near a third corner of the top cover portion and the second end being secured to a third lower cord portion of the lower elastic cord, the third lower cord portion located in a position remote from the top cover portion in a direction generally transverse to the top cover portion, so that the third vertical elastic cord extends from the third corner in a direction generally transverse to the top cover portion; and a fourth vertical elastic cord having first and second ends, the first end being secured near a fourth corner of the top cover portion and the second end being secured to a fourth lower cord portion of the lower elastic cord, the fourth lower cord portion located in a position remote from the top cover portion in a direction generally transverse to the top cover portion, so that the fourth vertical elastic cord extends from the fourth corner in a direction generally transverse to the top cover portion.
 3. The mattress covering of claim 1 wherein the lower elastic cord extends entirely around the periphery of the side skirt.
 4. The mattress covering of claim 2 wherein the lower elastic cord extends entirely around the periphery of the side skirt.
 5. The mattress covering of claim 1 wherein the side skirt has an interior and an exterior, and the first and second vertical elastic cords are positioned proximate to the interior surface of the side skirt.
 6. The mattress covering of claim 1 wherein the side skirt has an interior and an exterior, and the first and second vertical elastic cords are positioned proximate to the exterior surface of the side skirt.
 7. The mattress covering of claim 1 wherein the top covering is sized for use with a mattress having a top surface and a first mattress length, and the first and second vertical elastic cords have lengths such that, when the mattress covering is placed on a second mattress having a bottom surface and a second mattress length less than the first mattress length, thereby creating an excess portion of the top covering, the lower elastic cord and the first and second vertical elastic cords exert forces tending to wrap the excess portion of the top covering around an end surface of the second mattress and pull the excess portion of the top covering beneath the bottom surface.
 8. The mattress covering of claim 4 wherein the top covering is sized for use with a mattress having a top surface and a first mattress length, and the first and second vertical elastic cords have lengths such that, when the mattress covering is placed on a second mattress having a bottom surface and a second mattress length less than the first mattress length, thereby creating an excess portion of the top covering, the lower elastic cord and the vertical elastic cords exert forces tending to wrap the excess portion of the top covering around an end surface of the mattress and pull the excess portion of the top covering beneath the bottom surface.
 9. The mattress covering of claim 1 wherein the top covering is sized for use with a mattress having a top surface and a first mattress thickness, and the first and second vertical elastic cords have lengths such that, when the mattress covering is placed on a second mattress having a bottom surface and a second mattress thickness less than the first mattress thickness, the lower elastic cord and the first and second vertical elastic cords exert forces pulling a greater portion of the side skirt beneath the bottom surface as compared to the portion of the side skirt that is pulled beneath the bottom surface when the mattress covering is used on a mattress having the first mattress thickness.
 10. The mattress covering of claim 4 wherein the top covering is sized for use with a mattress having a top surface and a first mattress thickness, and the vertical elastic cords have lengths such that, when the mattress covering is placed on a second mattress having a bottom surface and a second mattress thickness less than the first mattress thickness, the lower elastic cord and the vertical elastic cords exert forces pulling a greater portion of the side skirt beneath the bottom surface as compared to the portion of the side skirt that is pulled beneath the bottom surface when the mattress covering is used on a mattress having the first mattress thickness. 